‘Frankenstein’ is on fire

Photo by: Grace KingThe Mt. Pleasant High School marching band performed their “Frankenstein” act during the 19th Invitational at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex on Saturday, Sept. 16.

By Grace King, Mt. Pleasant News

The Panther Marching Band performed their “Frankenstein” show for the second time on Saturday, Sept. 17, during the Mt. Pleasant Marching Band Invitational at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

Frankenstein stalked the field, slipping between trumpeters, saxophonists and tubists during the themed performance. The band ended the night after 18 marching bands from across Iowa and one from Missouri competed at Mt. Pleasant Marching Band’s 19th Annual Invitational.

Unlike Frankenstein’s monster, the field show was not hobbled together. The theme is chosen well in advance and practice begins with band camp at the end of the summer before the school year starts.

Members of the Mt. Pleasant High School band were thrilled with the theme of their performance this year and were confident of their talent going into the invitational.

“The theme is unique, different from things we’ve done in the past,” junior Clayton Loving said, who plays snare drums. As an upperclassman this year, he has enjoyed helping the freshmen improve their marching.

Junior Tristan Scovel, on tenor saxophone, believes that now that he’s been in the high school marching band for a couple years, he marches better and takes it more seriously.

Parents of Mt. Pleasant students appreciate the way the music program teaches their children hard work and teamwork.

“I’m partial to our band because we have the best directors,” Meredith Lee said. “They put a lot of hard work into it.”

The freshmen were full of nerves, but ready to perform their first high school invitational.

“It’s difficult, but a really good difficult,” said freshman Katie McCormick, on organ. “It feels like you have a special power.”

Freshman Emma Pieper said that being a part of marching band makes you feel really proud. “There’s a little more pressure, especially as a freshman coming in new, but our band is family,” she said.

“They learn teamwork, responsibility, how to play well with others, not to mention the intellectual aspect,” color guard director Marlene Depriest said. “They are amazing kids.”

Michelle White leaned against the fence overlooking the field to get as close a view as possible of her son, Logan White on mellophone, during Mt. Pleasant High School’s marching band’s performance.

“Our music program does a fabulous job getting our kids ready and making it fun,” White said.

During the awards ceremony, Benton Community High School swept the floor in Division 1A, taking best drum majors, color guard, drum line, horn line and placement.

The band will take the show on the road next Saturday, Sept. 23. They will perform in Wright City, Mo.